Friends of the Elder Theatre are asking you to help
SAVE THE ELDER THEATRE
For 40+ years, Becky Miller has been the steward of the Elder Theatre, but that time is quickly coming to an end. We need your help to keep this piece of the fabric of Jackson Center alive as we look to convert the theatre to a nonprofit owned and operated movie theatre.
The Challenge
Single screen movie theaters are disappearing across the country. Once places where people got their news, in addition to entertainment, these historic theaters have owners that are moving on and no new owners are coming along. This has led to a nationwide trend for community cinemas to transition from for-profit businesses into community owned nonprofit cinemas.
Right now, Jackson Center is experiencing a mini-resurgence. Subway is back up and running, Mama J's is occupying the old Veranda space, and the Heidout turned over into a new restaurant in record time. The Village Pantry is being revitalized, Casey's is going strong and the community continues to progress in a positive direction. Despite all of this success, the community is in danger of losing one of the few sources of entertainment available to residents and neighbors. A staple of downtown Jackson Center since 1942, the Elder Theatre needs our help, to ensure it has a sustained existence.
One of the things we learned from COVID-19 is that long-term isolation is bad for us. Even introverts need an opportunity to be in a social setting to avoid depression and other mental health issues. Suicide rates increased during the extended pandemic shutdowns, can we afford to lose more of our ability to gather and share experiences?
The Solution
We face a new challenge in Jackson Center and northern Shelby County. For the past 80 years, the Elder Theatre has been a staple of the county. A place for social gatherings and entertainment. Now, after 40-plus years of stewardship, Becky Miller is ready to retire. She placed the theatre up for sale towards the end of 2022 and no one came forward to purchase it. That indicates that should someone purchase the building and business; they would likely be from outside of the community. One day when driving through town, we may just see the marquee read, “CLOSED” and that would be the end.
We have the opportunity to make a difference. We can purchase the theatre and own and operate it as a locally controlled nonprofit. Not only would we preserve the theatre, but we would have countless options to expand services and utilize the theatre even more as a community asset. During the graduation ceremony in 2000, the valedictorian said, “and we went to the theatre on both Friday and Saturday night, because that was all there was to do,” let’s make sure future generations also have this option. That we have a vital community asset that keeps kids from getting in trouble and continues to operate at a family-friendly price.
The Impact
The Elder Theatre is adding to the economic impact of our community. Studies show that a local, single-screen movie theatre draws from an area of approximately 25 miles. That means Anna, Botkins, the Indian Lake Region, and even up to Wapakoneta and as far south as Sidney, individuals and families are coming to Jackson Center to see a movie and spend their money in our community. Positioned as one of the most affordable options in the region, the Elder Theatre is already profitable and as the pipeline of movies continues to fill up over the next few years and get back to pre-pandemic levels, the Elder will continue to provide for itself.
Historically, the Elder Theatre has served more than 10,000 people per year. On average that’s $100,000 in direct economic impact for our community. Utilizing American’s for the Arts survey results, we can expect an indirect economic impact of around $200,000, between babysitters, dinners, and more. Not only does the Elder have an economic impact, but it has already been a rallying point in the community. In 2013, cinema shifted from 35mm film to digital and with it, theaters across the county were told, “Go Digitial or Go Dark”. Together the community helped raise a significant amount of the necessary funds to save the Elder Theatre.
This is just the start of the potential that a nonprofit-run theatre could do. Unlimited possibilities exist like adding, historically recognized films in the American Film Institute’s AFI 500, a cult classic film series, or even a special Halloween series, all while keeping Shelby County’s only full-time first-run theatre in business.
In Back to the Future they wanted to “Save the Clock Tower” for Hill Valley, now it is our turn to Save the Elder Theatre in Jackson Center. Become a donor today!